Abstract

The efficiency of centrifugal pumps is strongly influenced by impeller blade design; however, studies on double-curvature impellers remain limited. This research evaluates the impact of double-curvature impellers on pump performance through experimental measurements. Five impeller configurations were tested experimentally, and their hydraulic behavior was analyzed at three rotational speeds: 1400, 1700, and 1900 rpm. For each impeller-speed combination, 12 measurement points were recorded, capturing suction and discharge pressures, flow rate, rotational velocity, electrical parameters, and power consumption. Additionally, four impellers with double-curvature designs of 15%, 25%, and 35% were developed to improve flow guidance between blades and enhance the hydraulic performance of the pump. Quantitatively, the double-curvature impellers demonstrated performance improvements over the baseline configuration, achieving increases in hydraulic head of approximately 5-10% and peak efficiency gains of 4-8 percentage points (equivalent to 10-18% relative improvement), particularly in mid-range flow conditions. These enhancements confirm the beneficial role of blade double curvature in reducing internal losses and improving flow guidance. The results were used to derive head-flow and efficiency-flow relationships, demonstrating that specific double-curvature configurations can enhance pump performance compared to the original design.